Manhunt for fugitive prosecutor a top priority

PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- The US Marshal's officesays their search for fugitive James Cameron, a long time state prosecutor convicted of possessing child pornography, is their top priority.

Cameron had been free on bail while awaiting word on his appeal in the First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston. He was required to check in withhis supervising officer and wear an electronic monitoring device when law enforcement agents say he fled his home in the early morning hours of November 15th.

The appeals court upheld his conviction on seven of thethirteen counts he was found guilty of and opened the door to resentencing on the other six.

According to a declaration filedby federal probation officer Mitchell Oswald, Cameronvisited hisson last week andtold him he was going back to prison. His ex-wife told officers thathe was aware of the court's decision and was "not doing well". She said they had not heard from him since that visit.

US Marshal for the District of Maine, Noel March, says apprehending Cameron is a top priority and that officers are looking into every possibility. March says they "don't know what Cameron's state of mind or intentions" are, but adds their is "no indication that Mr. Cameron is a danger to the community."

James Cameron worked nearly two decades as an assistant attorney general and was the top drug prosecutor in the state when he was charged with possessing child pornography in 2008 and was subsequently fired.

According to Karen Moody, the Chief Probation Officer for the Federal Bureau of Probation and Parole in Maine, it is very unusual for a person wearing an electronic monitor to either remove or tamper with a monitoring device. She says it isn't clear if Cameron removed his device or simply left the range which it monitors triggering a response from supervising officers.

Moody says the department followed their protocols in trying to contact Cameron throughout the morning before sending an officer with US Probation and Pretrial Services and Maine State Police officers to check onhis well-being.

James Cameronwas last seen driving his tan 1999 Audi A6 with Maine plate #2333PL in Hallowell last week. The 50-year-old Cameron is described as being six feet tall and weighing 230 pounds. He has blue eyes and brown hair.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Portland US Marshal's Office at 207-780-3355 or 1-877-WANTED2.